Instant Oatmeal Taste Test

Published on Monday, January 12, 2009, by Roxanne Webber / Edit Post

By Roxanne Webber

Oatmeal is a comforting winter breakfast, but cooking it takes a while. We wondered if any of the instant varieties were any good. We tried five plain instant oatmeals (we tasted them as is and with brown sugar), and none of them won us over. You’d be better off soaking steel-cut oats overnight and cooking them for about five minutes on your stovetop in the morning, or trying the overnight slow cooker method oft-discussed on Chowhound. This taste test yielded similar results to our whole-wheat pasta taste test: The top two products tied, with scores much higher than the rest.

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Safeway Instant Oatmeal, Regular Flavor

$3.49

Dr. McDougall’s Organic Instant Oatmeal, Original

$4.40

Quaker Instant Oatmeal, Original

$4.89

Nature’s Path Organic Instant Hot Oatmeal, Original

$3.39

Old Wessex Ltd. 100% Natural Whole Grain Instant Oatmeal

$3.49
RANKING 1 2 3 4 5
They say “Made with whole grain. Good source of 10 vitamins & minerals. May help reduce the risk of heart disease.” “Judged best tasting oatmeal among natural brands. We select only the tastiest oats … that’s why we don’t need to add as much salt to our oatmeal as some other brands.” “These are the same wholesome oats you’ve come to expect from Quaker in easy to carry single-serving packets that cooks in only 90 seconds because they have been finely cut.” “Our organic hot oatmeal is made with whole grain steel cut organic rolled oats. All the convenience in a nutritious and healthy portion pack that’s quick and easy to prepare.” “Great taste like grandmother made.”
Flavor Subtly salty. We could eat this plain. Earthy. Tastes yummy and hearty and healthy and natural. A melted plastic start with a refreshingly earthy, oaty finish. Extremely salty. Sodium attack. Pretty much no flavor.
Texture Little bit of chew and not too slimy. Sticky. Breaks up in your mouth normally, like food. Very, very pasty. Like you could cement something. Wallboard compound. Super gluey.
Appearance Can see small pieces of oats. Golden brown. Nice golden color with clearly defined oats. Very pale. Doesn’t look very healthy. Homogenous. Looks milky and mushy. Gray and too chopped up.
ALLFeature
POST A COMMENT |34 Comments

COMMENT

  • Typical this muck originates from the USA where all the prepacked rubbish comes from. Here in Turkey you can only find oatmeal in the bigger supermarkets and it's quite expensive. It doesn't take long to cook so why do you need all this ready made rubbish? Just ways of making money.

  • I think that the venom spewed against instant oatmeal is nothing more than snobbery abetted by ignorance. I have experienced the same vicious snobbery from elitist beer drinkers who disparage domestic brands. What has happened is that marketers have been successful in convincing some people that oats allied with colourful imagery ( e.g. "steel cut" ) are some how better. How about all the "steel...+READ

    I think that the venom spewed against instant oatmeal is nothing more than snobbery abetted by ignorance. I have experienced the same vicious snobbery from elitist beer drinkers who disparage domestic brands. What has happened is that marketers have been successful in convincing some people that oats allied with colourful imagery ( e.g. "steel cut" ) are some how better. How about all the "steel cut" food you eat every day. BTW "rolled oats" can instant, quick cooked, or slow cooked. Instant oatmeal has no problems except for being politically incorrect in the narrow confines of oatmeal snobs minds.-COLLAPSE

  • I have eaten oatmeal all my life and in many different iterations! I personally don't think all the instant oatmeal brands are that bad? My personal preference, as far as instant oatmeal goes, is Quaker, especially the Apple and Cinnamon flavor! Having said that, I would like to make a couple of points though, from a health point of view, the instant oatmeal may be convenient, but it is stripped...+READ

    I have eaten oatmeal all my life and in many different iterations! I personally don't think all the instant oatmeal brands are that bad? My personal preference, as far as instant oatmeal goes, is Quaker, especially the Apple and Cinnamon flavor! Having said that, I would like to make a couple of points though, from a health point of view, the instant oatmeal may be convenient, but it is stripped down substantially in comparison to regular oats, like the old-fashioned or quick oats which are not cooked and dried before we cook them. Also the instant oats do have more sodium and sugar in them than the regular oats, that is until we add whatever "condiments" to our oatmeal to enhance the flavor? At least with regular oatmeal we have the option to modify the amounts of sugar and salt or use healthier alternatives such as honey or fruit etc. Secondly, the price of instant oatmeal is quite a bit more expensive than regular oatmeal. Just grab a container of 100% no name brand of quick oats (1.19kg) for $1.89 vs 10 packages (350gr) of instant oatmeal for $1.98. Big price difference! I find that I prefer the taste of regular oatmeal to instant. Some people like the instant, so that is a matter of personal preference? No one should be disparaged for their personal tastes? We are all human beings and what may be awful to one person is delicious to another? If you do not like instant oatmeal then that's your personal taste, but that doesn't make those who do inferior in any way? Nobody is forcing anyone to eat instant oatmeal anyway?
    De gustibus non est disputandum!-COLLAPSE

  • Why the snobbery about instant oatmeal? When traveling it's the perfect food..I have my opinions about pate and other foods but don't put folks down for eating it..

  • I love the McCain's brand but in a pinch use the Trader Joe's Flax seed ..3.49 for 8 packs..so pricey but again, in a pinch when I am traveling. I add protein powder and have a nice breakfast pudding..

  • Real oatmeal takes 25 minutes folks and freezes well. It takes less time to defrost then the time required to make the instant junk.
    It tastes good. it is healthy.

    People lazy enough to eat instant oatmeal deserve this drek.

    Seriously Chow, this article is embarrassing. What next, best brands of instant rice?

  • I

  • Damn you, Quaker! You have eliminated the "Nutrition For Women" line of instant oatmeal. It contained all kinds of good stuff for our bones...maybe even some soy. The maple brown sugar was good stuff. (And, when I called you to complain, your comment that the "Vanilla" is now available in the regular line doesn't do anything for me). Thanks for dumping out on us female consumers. I notice you...+READ

    Damn you, Quaker! You have eliminated the "Nutrition For Women" line of instant oatmeal. It contained all kinds of good stuff for our bones...maybe even some soy. The maple brown sugar was good stuff. (And, when I called you to complain, your comment that the "Vanilla" is now available in the regular line doesn't do anything for me). Thanks for dumping out on us female consumers. I notice you still have the "Viagra" flavored oatmeal for men.-COLLAPSE

  • If you're on the go, like me, it doesn't get any easier than to throw a packet in the bag! I think McCain's has pretty good oatmeal flavor and a decent chew. For those on a budget, you can't beat Costco's Kirkland Brand. In a perfect world we would all soak the oats over night and have a warm bowl while we read the paper in the morning... unfortunately it's not a perfect world.

  • McCains Irish Oatmeal in instant form has a great taste but you can't beat the old fashioned oatmeal for flavor or looks. Everyone needs to stop and smell the roses ( or eat their oatmeal) they might live a little longer.

  • kiteflyer
    thats the way to go. regular old fashioned oatmeal with a little water and in the microwave for about 2 minits. so much better than the instant crap.

  • i love oatmeal any brand will do. i especially have tried since birth the quaker brand

  • has anyone else tried the new natural instant quaker oats? there are only 4 ingredients listed on the box, no additives. There is a huge difference in taste between this and the other quaker instant oatmeal, and i like it a lot better than kashi's version ...

  • if you boil 4 cups of water and add 1 cup steel cut oats, cover & rest over night you will have fantastic real oatmeal every day. good for your heart & your bowels.

  • I've recently started making my own "Instant Oatmeal." I'll take a 16 oz Turvis Tumbler (excellent for prep and transport - fits in my cup holder) and fill it with oats, pinch of salt, raisins and chopped walnuts before going to bed. When I wake up, all I have to do is add water and microwave for 2 1/2 min and I have a warm breakfast I can eat in the car. Trying out many different additives keeps...+READ

    I've recently started making my own "Instant Oatmeal." I'll take a 16 oz Turvis Tumbler (excellent for prep and transport - fits in my cup holder) and fill it with oats, pinch of salt, raisins and chopped walnuts before going to bed. When I wake up, all I have to do is add water and microwave for 2 1/2 min and I have a warm breakfast I can eat in the car. Trying out many different additives keeps it from getting boring: maple syrup, peanut butter, dried fruit (peaches - yum!). Yesterday I had ginger and molasses - tasted like a ginger snap!-COLLAPSE

  • My favorite instant these day is the Kirkland brand from Costco. Their plain has a nice flavor, and their flavors will not induce a diabetic coma, in contrast to Quaker, et al.

  • I also eat a lot of McCann's instant -- they are available in Food Emporium too. Two bags with one cup of skim milk in the microwave for 2 minutes gives you a fast and hearty breakfast with plenty of texture and plenty of creaminess. I like to float a little maple syrup across the top and a tablespoon of heavy cream if there's some around and I defy anyone not to like that, even finicky kids.

  • I used to use instant (Trader Joe's own brand), but became concerned about all that sugar and salt, not to mention other additives with long handles :(
    Now, at the beginning of each week, I take a large cylinder of quick-cook oats (Safeway, Albertson's, whichever is cheapest/handiest) and parcel out that week's 1/2 cup portions in ziploc sandwich baggies.
    I make it daily at work in the...+READ

    I used to use instant (Trader Joe's own brand), but became concerned about all that sugar and salt, not to mention other additives with long handles :(
    Now, at the beginning of each week, I take a large cylinder of quick-cook oats (Safeway, Albertson's, whichever is cheapest/handiest) and parcel out that week's 1/2 cup portions in ziploc sandwich baggies.
    I make it daily at work in the microwave with a cup of non fat milk.
    After giving it 2 min. on high, I add cinnamon, ground flaxseed, raisins and walnuts. It's cheaper and more healthful-win/win!-COLLAPSE

  • Trader Joe's also has their own brand of instant which isn't too bad. I like to soak large oats overnight in a bit of water and then grate an apple and add some nuts, fruit in season and maybe lemon juice and plain yoghurt. No cooking involved. Very tasty, kind of like the way the Swiss do it.

  • Instant oatmeal is better than no oatmeal!

  • Charva:

    To avoid confusion, I am excluding steel-cut oats. They are really a whole different food product. They are really good, too, but require more cooking than most families want to deal with. (Cooking in a slow-cooker overnight is a possibility.)

    Regular oatmeal (often labelled "old-fashioned") is simply oats that have been rolled. The smashed grain cooks in about 5 minutes.

    Quick...+READ

    Charva:

    To avoid confusion, I am excluding steel-cut oats. They are really a whole different food product. They are really good, too, but require more cooking than most families want to deal with. (Cooking in a slow-cooker overnight is a possibility.)

    Regular oatmeal (often labelled "old-fashioned") is simply oats that have been rolled. The smashed grain cooks in about 5 minutes.

    Quick oatmeal is rolled oats that have been chopped up a bit. The chopped grain cooks even quicker, about a minute.

    Just to be clear, the cooking times don't include the time for the water to come to a boil. Also, it usually helps to let the oatmeal sit covered a minute or two after you take it off the heat. Either can be cooked in a microwave, but quick oats work a little better.

    Instant oatmeal is chopped even finer, just adding boiling water will sufficiently cook the oats.

    Personally, I like the chewy texture of regular oats. They really don't take that much longer to make than instant. That said, instant really isn't so bad (I prefer Quaker) and it works great for travelling and mornings where I have run out the door without breakfast -- I keep a couple of packs in my desk at work.

    The major rap on instant is due to the flavored instant oatmeals -- staggering amounts of sugar in those buggers.The regular has a little salt -- not much more than you would put in oats you were preparing on the stovetop.-COLLAPSE

  • I'm really unclear on the differences between instant, quick-cook and regular oatmeal--wish this article elaborated more. I tried instant thinking it might be convenient, but it didn't taste like oatmeal and left behind a sour aftertaste. If I can fix the other kinds in the microwave at work and they'll taste like oatmeal then I'll try them.

  • I second gibsongirlie- McCann's is available at Trader Joe's, I know that for sure. They are quite good- we love the Apple Cinnamon.
    Plus, why couldn't you make up a ton of regular oatmeal and freeze it in serving-sized portions, and then nuke it as needed? I may have to try that myself.

  • Hello! Why didn't you taste test McCann's Instant Irish Oatmeal!! It is so quick to make, its in every supermarket I've been in, and its pretty damn tasty. It the closest I've ever had to the taste of slow cooked oatmeal in 2 minutes. Anyone who reads this, I urge you to try it. Someone mentioned it in an earlier response.

  • Hello! Why didn't you taste test McCann's Instant Irish Oatmeal!! It is so quick to make, its in every supermarket I've been in, and its pretty damn tasty. It the closest I've ever had to the taste of slow cooked oatmeal in 2 minutes. Anyone who reads this, I urge you to try it. Someone mentioned it in an earlier response.

  • Hey, I actually like instant oatmeal -- sure, it's not the same as the longer-cooking stuff, but it can be a nice, comforting pile of mush.

    Besides, those of us who eat breakfast at work (and can't always cart around a thermos of precooked stuff) don't have the option of making steel-cut oats. Or hogging the office microwave for more than 2 minutes.

    Plain only, though; none of that...+READ

    Hey, I actually like instant oatmeal -- sure, it's not the same as the longer-cooking stuff, but it can be a nice, comforting pile of mush.

    Besides, those of us who eat breakfast at work (and can't always cart around a thermos of precooked stuff) don't have the option of making steel-cut oats. Or hogging the office microwave for more than 2 minutes.

    Plain only, though; none of that sweetened or flavoured stuff.-COLLAPSE

  • No self-respecting chowhound would eat instant oatmeal. At a bare minimum, you can do quick cooking oatmeal.

    And how the heck did you manage an oatmeal taste test without buying a package of McCann's? Not your best article, Chowhound.

  • THIS CHART IS EXTREMELY INCOMPREHENSIBLE!

  • funny that this post comes the day before "Oatmeal for Morons"
    http://www.chow.com/products/7059

  • I wonder if this writer has ever made regular oatmeal, and understands the difference between instant, regular and steel cut oats. Yes, the latter take a while, but regular oats can be cooked in under ten minutes.

    First off, instant oatmeal is total dreck--lots of the healthful qualities of oatmeal is striped away. Second, I don't understand citing cooking methods for steel cut oats as a basis...+READ

    I wonder if this writer has ever made regular oatmeal, and understands the difference between instant, regular and steel cut oats. Yes, the latter take a while, but regular oats can be cooked in under ten minutes.

    First off, instant oatmeal is total dreck--lots of the healthful qualities of oatmeal is striped away. Second, I don't understand citing cooking methods for steel cut oats as a basis for recommending INSTANT oats. Instant oats are meant to replace REGULAR oats.

    Not the best piece I've ever read on chowhound.-COLLAPSE

  • We have a microwave with menu options. It cooks a single serving of oats perfectly IN the bowl it will be served in. (Mega kudos for the reduced clean up time and effort.)
    Then what ever additions are wanted can be added.

    The freshness of the oats can also be a factor. In a lot of grocery stores, the cheaper brands move off the shelves faster. (Also works for generic popcorn.)

  • I boil rolled oats on the stove while my coffee brews. It takes five minutes and is sooooo much better than instant oatmeal. I go simple on additions: a pinch of salt and a spoonful of brown sugar.

  • Instant oatmeal has so much sodium and other crap in it. Just get a box of quick oats (1 ingredient--oats!) and stir in hot milk or water, cinnamon, brown sugar, and a nob of butter. Real maple syrup. Raisins and walnuts. Preserves. A banana. Pumpkin or apple pie spice. And all of the above take the same amount of time and are less wasteful than the packets. Cheaper too.

    The metallic taste of...+READ

    Instant oatmeal has so much sodium and other crap in it. Just get a box of quick oats (1 ingredient--oats!) and stir in hot milk or water, cinnamon, brown sugar, and a nob of butter. Real maple syrup. Raisins and walnuts. Preserves. A banana. Pumpkin or apple pie spice. And all of the above take the same amount of time and are less wasteful than the packets. Cheaper too.

    The metallic taste of packets of oatmeal (including plain) is really repulsive.-COLLAPSE

  • OK, but where are the scores? And, although the intro says the top two far outscored the other three, it seems Quaker did very well based on the comments. Lastly, these comments don't seem to be very thorough.